HILL COUNTRY UNIVERSITY CENTER ANNOUNCES CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH PERMANENT CAMPUS

H-E-B Tournament of Champions Donates $400,000 to Fund Construction of Campus’ First Building

FREDERICKSBURG, TX – Nov. 2, 2007 – In a community gathering that included representatives from six colleges and universities, plans were unveiled today for the building of a new Academic Center for the Hill Country University Center (HCUC). The HCUC Academic Center will establish the first permanent building on the site of the future 68-acre HCUC campus in Fredericksburg. An architectural model of the envisioned Academic Center was put on display for onlookers during a ceremony held at the H-E-B Fredericksburg store as plans for a capital campaign to fund its construction were announced. To help successfully launch the campaign, H-E-B on behalf of the H-E-B Tournament of Champions presented a check to the Texas Hill Country Higher Education Development Foundation for $400,000.

“Ensuring a quality education is accessible to all students is a top priority for H-E-B. We are proud to be able to assist the HCUC in its mission to make college courses and workforce training accessible in the Hill Country region,” said Winell Herron, Group Vice President of Public Affairs and Diversity for H-E-B.

Since its inception in 2004, The Hill Country University Center (HCUC) has worked to establish partnerships with universities and community partners across the state to provide improved access to post secondary education and workforce training in the Texas Hill Country region – the state’s largest geographic area without a public institution of higher education.  

While the local community has provided temporary locations for housing classes offered by six college and university partners, HCUC lacked a permanent campus capable of accommodating future growth until now.  The projected Academic Center, a $5.5 million investment in the community, is slated to begin construction in spring 2008 with a completion date in July 2009.  

Currently, HCUC serves more than 600 students annually across a 15-county region. Upon completion, the HCUC Academic Center will allow for adequate space for multi-level university and community college instruction, professional development and certification programs and technical/vocational training programs. Additionally, an established HCUC campus will make it possible to expand curriculum, attract additional partners and increase enrollment. In the first year alone with the new Academic Center, HCUC anticipates enrollment increasing by minimum of 38 percent.

The 68-acre site for the campus will be leased from the City of Fredericksburg and the facilities will be owned and operated by the Texas Hill Country University Center Foundation (UCF). The Academic Center itself will be a joint-use facility for academics, administration and student activities — housing state-of-the-art classrooms and lecture halls, and offering professional and community education. To date, more than$3.2 million has been raised toward this goal.

“The generous gift from H-E-B is indicative of their commitment to the Hill Country and education. Their support has allowed us to exceed 60 percent of our total fundraising goal, putting this project well on its way to becoming a reality,” said Jimmy Sparks, Hill Country University Center Executive Director.

HCUC is designed to meet the higher education needs of the Texas Hill Country region where a large percentage of potential students are non-traditional and generally over the age of 22.  Many have families, jobs and local commitments that do not allow for lengthy commutes to urban centers. Others cannot afford the cost associated with leaving home to attend college. And, many students simply require the safety and familiarity of pursuing education opportunities closer to home, particularly minorities and first generation college students.

HCUC currently partners with six colleges and universities to provide vocational/technical, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctoral and professional development programs to Hill Country students:  

Academic Partners

• Austin Community College
• Concordia University
• Schreiner University
• Texas State Technical College
• Texas Tech University
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Each educational partner who uses the shared HCUC facility has local staff that assists with admissions, financial aid counseling, academic advising and general student support services. 

About H-E-B
For more than 100 Years, H-E-B has been an innovative retailer. Known for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at every day low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 60,000 Partners and serves millions of customers in more than 150 communities throughout Texas and Mexico. For more information, visit www.heb.com.